The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Re-Examining the Safety of Colorful Crosswalks
There has been no shortage of responses to the story about St. Louis letting decorated sidewalks fade away after encountering federal policy that recommends more subdued colors.

How Many Homeowners Became Renters During the Great Recession?
Trulia has undertaken an in-depth analysis of American Community Survey data to reveal some of the impacts of the recession on the housing market.
Record Numbers of Riders Took to Rail in Chicago in 2015
The Chicago Transit Authority has something to celebrate as it tries to dig itself out of a budgetary hole.
Massachusetts Considers Raising Its $1 Jaywalking Fine
There are a few reasons one should exercise caution while crossing the street illegally. In Massachusetts, fear of a fine is not one of them.

Friday Funny: Video Game Allows Players to Deface an Icon of Modernism
An online video game has the perfect remedy for anyone who hates modernism—and Le Corbusier more specifically.
A Drill Not Named Bertha Got Stuck in Seattle
A drill named Pamela, tasked with digging the tunnel for the Sound Transit light rail extension from Husky Stadium to Northgate, was stuck in the dirt under Seattle for several months.
Los Angeles Passes Sweeping Homeless Plans—Funding Still Needed
The easy part for politicians at both the city and the county of Los Angeles is over. Funding their plans to improve services for the homeless will be the hard part.
Concerns Raised About the Brooklyn-to-Queens Streetcar Proposal
We've gathered a sample of the responses to Mayor Bill de Blasio's proposal for a $2.2 billion streetcar to connect Brooklyn to Queens.

Controversy Over Drive-Throughs in Minneapolis Gains National Attention
A proposal in Minneapolis would restrict the development of drive-throughs, in pedestrian-friendly parts of the city, as a safety measure for all non-car users of the street.
After Almost Four Months, Monster Methane Leak is Capped
It's a temporary cap, but it means that thousands of Porter Ranch, Los Angeles residents can return home. SoCalGas has begun the process of permanently capping the leak of the huge natural gas storage field first detected on Oct. 23.
Oregon Considering Payroll Tax for Transit
Traditionally pro-transit organizations have come out against a proposal to create a new payroll tax to fund bus transit improvements.
Head-On Commuter Train Collision Leaves 10 Dead in Germany
The two trains were traveling on a single track in Bavaria, each going around a bend at about 62 mph so they were not visible to the engineers. The trains were equipped with automatic braking systems reported to have been deactivated.
$25 Billion Paris Métro Extension—Grand Ambitions Included
The scale of the Line 14 subway extension is enough to impress any American transit advocate.

Friday Eye Candy: London From Above
A new book, "London Rising," collects photos taken in not-quite-legal fashion from the tops of London's tallest buildings and structures.
Land Trusts Holding Ground for Affordable Housing in Pittsburgh
Community land trusts are facing an uphill battle as waves of gentrification reach new neighborhoods around Pittsburgh.
Transportation Secretary Foxx Wants to Go Out With a Bang
Governing profiles Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx's ambitious goals to change the way the country thinks about transportation.
5 Ways to Improve Life in Homeless Encampments
As cities struggle to deal with the persistent challenges of homelessness, one writer suggest there's a better way to address the problem than by simply clearing out homeless encampments and tent cities.
A Detailed History of Atlanta's 'War on Density'
The Atlanta Studies website takes a deep dive into the history that produced the city of Atlanta as we know it today—and provides some suggestions on how to "correct some of its most atrocious attacks on the urban built environment."
Compromise Struck: Virginia Will Widen I-66 Inside the Beltway
Some local advocates and officials had hoped that tolls and transit could salve the congestion on I-66. Now it will be tolls, transit, and an extra lane.
Lenders, Landlords Prepare for Market Correction in Manhattan
Multiple reports about the priciest real estate in New York City say a glut of supply is leading to high vacancies and lower rent.
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City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
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Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
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Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.